Algerian authorities say that 12 people have died and 54 others have been injured following widespread forest fires in several provinces of the country.
According to Reuters, Algerian Interior Minister Said Sayoud said the fires coincided with a severe heat wave in North Africa, with five people killed in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou.
According to officials, the condition of six of the injured is reported to be serious and they are under intensive care.
Algeria’s Civil Defense Department announced that 154 fires were recorded across the country on Wednesday alone, some of which were contained by rescue forces.
